Former CMO wants patients removed from crumbling George Odlum Stadium

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Former Chief Medical Officer, Dr Stephen King has added his voice to the growing debate on the reconstruction of St Jude Hospital saying it is urgent that patients are removed from the rapidly deteriorating George Odlum Stadium.

Dr. King, a Pathologist, pointed to a leaked audit which he said makes no recommendations for the complete demolition of the existing structure.

Health Minister Mary Isaac told reporters that the government was considering tearing down the existing structures.

Dr. King echoed the sentiments of the St Jude Hospital Chairman, Dr Ulric Mondesir that the stadium was unfit to house sick people.

“It is urgent that we relocate those patients. I mean the people in the south have suffered a lot with regard to hospital services since the fire. It’s now eight years and we need to move urgently.

Dr King also referenced a reports by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) which calls for patients to be moved urgently.

The former Chief Medical Officer said the condition of the stadium was getting worse and God forbid, would not be able to withstand the forces of a hurricane or earthquake.

He said authorities should now be considering how the hospital can be relocated in a phased manner.

“Regardless of the state of that construction, all the recommendations indicate that one could do a phased construction work and allow us to move patients in there fairly quickly.”

Dr King added: “we should put our heads together and come up with a very clear plan, a phased continuing construction of the new St Jude but allow the patients to move out of the George Odlum Stadium as quickly as possible. And I think it is something that as St Lucians we should come together on and be of one mind.”

St Jude Hospital has been operating from the George Odlum Stadium since a fire in September 2009 destroyed parts of the hospital.

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39 Comments

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 9:18 am

These people are not serious. Stephen King your government spent 5 years in power and never thought it was time to remove them. You were the CMO then and did nothing.Now youll out of power you playing saving savior.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 9:36 am

Such MOTHA 4 KING CRAP U R Saying bout Dr.Stephen King Government, where in History was Dr.Stephen King ever elected or have been on Political Platform in ST.LUCIA U’ll like 2 Politicize Things too much in Lucia, get ur facts right,& do ur research, u BASTARDIZATION FOOL… So he being a Doctor he shouldn’t say anything bout the Lapidating Condition @ The Odlum Stadium, Remove ur Head from the Sand CUZ UR BEING AN OSTRICH U MAL~FINI aka Chicken Hawk..

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 10:36 am

Doc, Good job and foresight, much better than your critics. Continue to be out spoken about the plight of the poor and afflicted. GOD bless!

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 3:59 pm

Please idiot keep shut. Everything had a timeline, but there was no stoppages of work on either of the two hospitals which they were trying to complete, they retained the same contractors, so please be sensitive to the needs of the people of the south.

You maybe one of those who can fly yourself or another family member if ill, I know you dont live in the south, take you time venegence is near, stop singing for your supper.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 4:41 pm

Do you people realize that you are critical of everyone, every leader who make an outstanding point towards something significant. Let us change this my people, let us try, at least learn to be more positive in order to move forward and be successful.

Basoo Dee

October 4, 2017 at 9:22 am

Now that’s making sense. Not the rubbish that we have been fed with by the people with only their crocked self interest at heart.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 9:57 am

Dr King appears to mean well but don’t forget the guy has his own agenda. He desperately wants to be part of the new hospital in order to ensure tapion’s survival when these hospitals are opened. All he wants is control so his tapion outfit can continue to skin people.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 10:06 am

I like the Doc. but fact are facts, I have to agree with your observation.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 10:37 am

New Testament Verse of the Day:
As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.

– Matthew 17: 2

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 2:47 pm

Bloody hell you hit the nail on the head …….

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 10:04 am

Anonymous,

So what if he has an agenda, in the process he is trying to help. How is the Island to move forward when all you guys do is poke holes in any recommendations. My Goodness.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 10:08 am

I’m sure that the doctor’s views and intentions are sincere. He has repeatedly spoken out about the atrocious conditions of the hospital. I’m quite certain that he would be cursed, slandered and excoriated for expressing his genuine concerns. Too many St. Lucians seem to be averse to constructive criticism. Politics trumps everything. They defend the indefensible at great disadvantage to themselves in order to protect their political party. These same people who are quick to stoutly defend corrupt and inept politicians are equally swift in launching the most vulgar and nauseating attacks on the police, teachers and hard working public servants. St. Lucia appears to be an intellectual desert with a few oases.
Vibz

Douce

October 4, 2017 at 10:19 am

Well said Dr king. The stadium is in a deplorable state and truly unfit to house patients. Lots of money have been spent on sjh and i am sure in its current stage something can be done now to make phase trasition rather than demolition .

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 10:25 am

Anonymous
You cannot be from Vieux Fort..God forbid you should be admitted to St Judes..You are just a political puppet .

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 10:30 am

Well said the complete destruction of the St.Judes hospital would be one of the worse things to ever happen in St.Lucia.Over 180 million down the drain, its unthinkable

Concerned

October 4, 2017 at 10:31 am

Dr. Stephen King was not CMO at the time. Dr. King has spoken and advised health care personnel no matter what party forms the government. The question is do they take the advised? We like to politicize everything. A wrong is a wrong no matter which party forms the government. Also once elections are over it becomes our government. No longer red or yellow.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 10:32 am

Why is now Dr. King is talking ? The former administration spent 5 years and the hospital was being built during those 5 years . Did he pressure them to complete it then? NO! What’s the hurry now? Does he have a hidden agenda? Doctors, Pastors, Priests, name it, all have some political affiliation which they try to hide behind their profession. These people can afford to talk because they find BIAS persons of the same Political complexion who would bark with them Just for the sake of barking. Moin say Flambeau moin kai mort Flambeau. MOIN say Laba moin Kai mort Laba. Come on people, here’s a passionate plea to unite and put politics aside.

WHAT?

October 4, 2017 at 11:08 am

Well, well, well. All the fuss! The facts remain – the previous government are to be held accountable for the mess, the undone – all 8 years of it. Are some heads going to roll for St Jude’s, and all the other mess. And who was supposed to open the new hospital? I personally know people who offered free equipment, I mean the big stuff – and it was turned down – I guess because there was nothing to be passed under the table. Dr King could have made these statements before the last election – when the building was ‘in crumbling’. I am not saying he should not make those statements, but I am saying he knows the facts. Truth is, this government cannot ‘just undo’ what the previous government has done – ‘just so’. There is a heavy price to pay. And yes, there may be dirty politicians, but there are equally dirty and devilish civil servants who are just as much, if not more, to blame. Is it different anywhere else? Watch the global news! Watch the signs! Watch the times! Watch the disaster! Is there worse to come? Can the citizens handle it? If Maria passed this way a couple of weeks ago, where would the new hospital and all the other ‘stuff’ go. People (who are the government) had better stop eating junk, and partying, and ‘politicking’ and learn to live on basics. Get ready for dirt kitchens and walking……………… just in case! Oh, and in case you didn’t know…. PRAY… because no one comes out unscathed.

DIE HEART LABOUR

October 4, 2017 at 11:19 am

Url idiots will die idiots. Every damn thing in this country is politicised. Like seriously he did the right thing speaking up. Every Lucian knows how bady damaged that staduim is and it is not fit to house sick patients and that is no good condition to be working in. If Lucians were shutting down the country and demonstrate im sure something would happen. But everything is politicized in this country thats why we will never move forward. To all the FLAMBOUS’ im sure url seeing the path the country is heading to. But url too ignorant and jackass ots because of url jackass decision the country is in that mess and it will get worse. Bunch of idiots………

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 11:19 am

Sad state of affairs!! REPENT REPENT REPENT CHRIST IS COMING! THINGS ARE HAPPENING UNEXPLAINED SCIENTISTS CANT EXPLAIN ETC. ST. LUCIANS REPENT ACCEPT CHRIST LIVE FOR HIM …. WATCH AND PRAY PEOPLE

MAY GOD HAVE MERCY

Concerned

October 4, 2017 at 11:22 am

Well said Dr.King, they have to do something and the time is now cause this is not a hospital, I was there and as soon as I was able to walk I ask for me to go home . The conditions there are bad, inspire of the place being air-condition there are lots of flies in there as well. People stop politicizing every thing and let’s all come together as one for a better St.Lucia.

Concerned

October 4, 2017 at 11:24 am

(Inspite)

Caribbean Godess

October 4, 2017 at 11:57 am

What difference does it make if he has an agenda or is for a particular party or whatever other negatives are being hurled at him by some persons, the fact is that what he is pointing out IS THE TRUTH!!!! Enough discussion and get the St Jude’s hospital ready to house the patients! Too much damnnnnn politics in everything in St Lucia! That’s why we cannot go forward and we are just stagnant!

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 12:06 pm

I always say.the hospital should have never been put at the stadium…but I was called unpatriotic…or whatever..now you guys want to move their asap….now there a big elephant in the picture…..the big question society wants to know….what will be done about the stadium…let’s not forget after almost 20years I so called national stadium have not being Olympic standard..a day like today

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 12:15 pm

Send them to Tapion. Dr King can use his shares at Tapion to pay for their stay!

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 10:25 pm

Lol.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 12:28 pm

How comes the airlines are not saying anything.Are our tourists safe or are we a safe destination?Our medical personnel need to work in a better condition.Our patients need care in a better surroundings.Please listen to common sense

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 1:20 pm

Within two years of St. Jude’s Hospital burning down, it should have been re-built regardless of which government was in power. A Nation that is so “politically” divided beyond the point of commonsense, cannot be expected to make progress for the benefit of the country or its people. All the infrastructure of this little island is in a mess to the extent where some buildings must be demolished and re-built; Education, health, court, medical – nothing seems to be functioning in a normal way.

Amie dodo

October 4, 2017 at 1:52 pm

Its not that easy ,its easier said than done a hospital is not a simple home it has many different departments ,but what the government can do is to bring more man power to complete it the sooness ,

Justice

October 4, 2017 at 3:02 pm

Good concerns Stephen King. But funny you were a senator for five years and stayed mute or largely mute on St. Judes.
So also you made no cry about the National Hospital not even against the farce which passed for an opening. The cutting of a ribbon and naming of the hospital was a cheap trick. Now you have suddenly found your voice. Is it only after the dismissals of yourself and that of your friend Dr. Bird.
The need for sincerity.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 5:19 pm

Well well Dr king is there for his own interest, he want the pathology wing to take control And that will not happen . Since they kicked him out of the ministry his looking for ways and means to fit his ostrich head in a place
Good luck king

wow

October 4, 2017 at 6:04 pm

LOL. Who is Dr. King to say that. EVERY SINGLE SAINT LUCIAN HAS SAID THE SAME THING.Y DID IT NOT MAKE NEWS TOO. Y DID DR.KING A S A SENATOR NOT ENSURE ST.JUDE WAS REBUILT IN THE PAST 7 YEARS. SO REMOVE DEM AND PUT HTEM WHERE DR.KING?/ WHERE? AM NOT SAYING THEY SHOULD SATY THERE. BUT WHERE?? LAST 7 YEARS SCHOOLS GET NEXT TO NOTHING AS A BUDGET, 1OO MILLION WASTED ON ST.JUDES. HOWIS THEGOVERNEMNT GONNA OUT OF THE BLUE REBUILD. INSTEAD THOS EIDIOTS COMMISONED MONEY TO BE SPENT ON 2 UNNECESSARY BRIDGES, HAD 64MILLIONFOR A BLDG IN VFORT AND MILLIONS FOR THEIR FRIENDS TO DOA SQUARE INSOUF. WHERE IS THE MONEY KING. WHERE. U WERE A SENATOR AND ALLOWED ALL THIS TO HAPPEN. AS A SENATOR U WERE PART OF THE GOV’T

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 7:40 pm

We need a revolution to drive the chastanet administration out of power

Mike

October 10, 2017 at 2:29 pm

Make certain you are in the front. I will be waiting

Mel

October 4, 2017 at 7:51 pm

St Jude’s started under UWP for those wth selective amnesia…

The Sycophant

October 4, 2017 at 10:54 pm

In the Saint Lucian context one of the best ways to get rich quick is to build a hospital. If truth be told successive Governments eyeing that hospital as a conduit for siphoning money to party hacks. First you spend over EC$100M to build the hospital to no particular specifications or standards and without oversight. Then you spend about EC$980K for FDL to tell us that the hospital was not built to specifications and is a white elephant. Then you pay Norman how much money to confirm FDL’s findings. Then you think the only solution is to break it down and start afresh (like Fresh Start) but you not telling us how much it will cost to demolish the hospital. Meanwhile contractors, engineers, civil servants, technocrats, bureaucrats, rats, sycophants and the usual suspects waiting in the shadows for demolition contracts, consultancy contracts, design & build contracts, architectural contracts and all the time the clock ticks towards a new general election and that hospital project looks like it has good potential to fund the party campaign. Wake up my people because all them politicians and their usual sycophants taking us for a ride.

Anonymous

October 4, 2017 at 11:19 pm

Oh what a rat race! When the cat’s away the mice will play. Oh what a rat race!

Anonymous

October 5, 2017 at 4:58 am

Over the years this guy had all the power in the world to make deference in health system he along with his Tapion team suppress the public sector to grow and still doing it. All politicians believed him and realised he is selfish fake. now ignorent Dr chairmen of St Jude siting with him
God save St Jude Hospital